GB2374629A

GB2374629A - Clip for securing a sheet to a scaffolding pole

Info

Publication number: GB2374629A
Application number: GB0108534A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Mann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-05
Filing date: 2001-04-05
Publication date: 2002-10-23
Also published as: GB0108534D0

Abstract

A retaining member in a form of a clip (1) comprises a fastener (3) and a grip (5), the fastener (3) comprises a substantially "C" shaped channel section member (7) having a concave inner surface, arranged, in use, to trap a sheet between itself and a pole 103, particularly a scaffolding pole. The clip (1) fits over a sheet (101) and over a scaffolding pole (103) to secure the sheet to the scaffolding pole (103). The sheet thereby contains any dust and/or debris, thus protecting the public and surrounding area, and/or to protect the workmen from the elements.

Description

RETAINING MEANS Field of the Invention The invention relates to a retaining member and particularly although not exclusively, to a retaining member for securing protective sheets to scaffolding poles.

Background to the Invention During the construction and renovation of buildings, bridges and like structures it is common to employ scaffold to allow workmen access to the higher parts thereof.

One or more sides of the scaffold are often fitted with sheets in order to contain any dust and/or debris, thus protecting the public and surrounding area, and/or to protect the workmen from the elements.

A known method of securing the sheets to the scaffold employs ties which are formed with a pointed end. The ties may be used to pierce the sheets and can then be passed through the holes thus formed and around scaffold poles to secure the sheets thereto.

An alternative prior art method of securing sheets to scaffold employs sheets formed with apertures through which ties, string or the like may be passed before being tied around scaffold poles.

These prior art methods for securing sheets to scaffold have several disadvantages, the main one being that the

weight of the sheets and the effects of the wind can cause the ties to cut through the sheets and may result in failure of some of the points of securement. This problem may be overcome by providing the apertures of the sheets with reinforcement. However, this adds to the weight of the sheets, making their handling more awkward, and also increases their cost.

Workmen can also find the ties quite fiddly to use, particularly if they have cold hands, and thus spend a considerable amount of unnecessary time securing sheets to scaffold.

Another prior art method of securing sheets to scaffold employs"U"shaped clips arranged to be pushed between two parallel scaffold poles in order to trap the sheets between themselves and the poles.

This prior art method also has several disadvantages, the principal one being that it requires accurate spacing of two parallel scaffold poles. This means that the erection of scaffold must be more precise than might normally be the case. It also means that two poles must be used for some parts of the scaffold where normally there would only be one, or that the sheets must be secured to those parts of the scaffold by another method. The edges of the clip may also cut through parts of the sheets and thus reduce both its effectiveness and lifespan.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a retaining member for retaining a sheet to a pole the retaining member comprising a co-operating surface, the retaining member being arranged, in use, to locate on opposing sides of the pole in order to retain the sheet between the co-operating surface and the pole.

Preferably the retaining member comprise a first and a second co-operating surface. Preferably the first and second co-operating surfaces are arranged, in use, to locate on opposing sides of the pole in order to retain the sheet between the co-operating surfaces and the pole.

The first and second co-operating surface may be joined to form a single surface. The co-operating surfaces may be physically separate.

Preferably, in use, the co-operating surfaces are urged towards each other.

Preferably the retaining member comprising a channel section. Preferably the first and second co-operating surfaces are located on the inner surface of the channel section.

The retaining member may be arranged such that, in use, the retaining member secures the sheet to the pole by clamping the sheet between the retaining member and the pole.

The retaining member may be arranged such that, in use, it securely grips onto the pole by transmitting a compressive force to the pole through the sheet interposed between the retaining member and the pole.

The retaining member may be arranged such that, in use, the free ends of the channel section are forced away from one another during an intermediate stage of fitting over the pole.

The retaining member may be arranged such that, in use, as it approaches its final fitted position the free ends of the channel section return towards one another so that once the retaining member is in a final fitted position the channel section has substantially its original configuration.

Preferably the pole is a scaffolding pole. The sheet may

be a plastics sheet or a textile sheet and may be a

) protective sheet. The sheet may comprise a visqueenn sheet.

The retaining member may comprise a resilient material. The resilient material may be a plastics material or may be a metal, for example steel or sprung steel.

The channel section may return to its original configuration after being deformed due to the resilient nature of the material of which it is comprised.

The channel section may have an inner face arranged to define the arc of a sector of a cylinder. The sector of the cylinder may have an angle of greater than 180 .

Preferably the sector has an angle of between 180 and 270 , more preferably of between 180 and 220 .

The channel section may comprise a substantially"c" shaped wall.

The free ends of the wall of the channel section may be rounded. The wall of the channel section may be at its widest adjacent to its free edges. Preferably the free edges of the channel section wall have a substantially circular cross section.

The channel section may comprise one or more ribs extending along the inner face of the channel section substantially transverse to the arc of the channel section. Preferably the channel section comprises between 2 and 20 ribs, more preferably between 5 and 15. The ribs may be substantially evenly spaced around the inner face of the channel section and may be of an equal height.

Preferably the ribs may be arranged such that an imaginary line joining their highest points would form an arc of a sector of a cylinder. Preferably the cylinder has a diameter substantially equal to that of a pole to which the retaining member is arranged, in use, to be fitted.

The ribs may be arranged, in use, to compress the parts of the sheet against which they abut between the ribs and the pole to which the retaining member is fitted.

The ribs may be arranged, in use, to aid the retaining member to grip the sheet and in turn the pole to which it is fitted.

The retaining member may further comprise a grip. The grip may extend from a base of the channel section. The grip may comprise a substantially planar member which may extend from the outerface of the base of the channel section transverse to the direction of the channel.

The grip may extend from one or both sides of the base of the channel section. Preferably the grip extends from both sides.

Preferably the grip forms a tangent to the base of the channel section. The grip may extend beyond the widest point of the channel section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a scaffolding structure comprising scaffolding poles having at least one sheet secured thereto by retaining members in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Each retaining member may be fitted such that each retaining member grips a scaffolding pole by applying a force through a sheet and onto the scaffolding pole.

Each retaining member may be fitted such that it clamps a sheet between the retaining member and a scaffolding pole.

The sheet or sheets may be of any size which may be dependent upon the size of the scaffolding with which it or they are employed.

If two or more sheets are used some or all of the sheets may overlap one another for part of their extent.

The sheet or sheets may be fitted on the outside of the scaffolding. Alternatively, the sheet or sheets may be fitted on the inside of the scaffolding.

The sheet or sheets may be fitted such that it or they keep the workmen dry and/or protect the public and surrounding area from dust and/or debris.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a sheet to a pole comprising placing a part of a sheet adjacent to a pole and locating a retaining member adjacent to the sheet and over the pole in order to retain the sheet between the retaining member and the pole.

Preferably the method comprises moving apart free ends of a channel section of the retaining member in order to locate over the pole.

The method may comprise moving the retaining member substantially normally towards the pole whilst the free ends of the channel section are urged apart.

The free ends of the fastener channel section may return towards one another as the retaining member is pushed towards its final position on the pole. The resilient nature of the material of which the retaining member is comprised may allow it to secure the sheet between the retaining member and the pole.

The pole onto which the retaining member is fitted may comprise a scaffolding pole.

The sheet which is secured by the retaining member may comprise a protective sheet and may be a plastics or

M textile sheet. The sheet may comprise visqueenj. rt The retaining member may be removed from the pole by applying a pulling force to the clip. The pulling force may be applied to a grip section of the retaining member.

The method of removal of the retaining member may substantially be a reversal of the method hereinbefore described for fitting the retaining member onto the pole.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will not be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a retaining member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the clip of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a sheet secured to scaffolding pole by a retaining member.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a sheet secured to scaffold by retaining members.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The retaining member in the form of a clip 1 comprises a fastener 3 and a grip 5, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

The fastener 3 comprises a substantially"c"shaped channel section member 7 having a concave inner surface, arranged, in use, to trap a sheet between itself and a pole, particularly a scaffolding pole. The fastener 3 has a first and second co-operating surfaces defined on the inner surface thereof.

The fastener 3 is arranged such that a substantial part of the inner periphery of the channel section member 7 forms the arc of a sector of a cylinder. The sector has an angle of greater than 180 and this may allow the clip 1 to securely fasten a sheet to a scaffolding pole.

The channel section member 7 comprises rounded free ends 9. The wall of the channel section member 7 is wider in cross section adjacent to its free ends than it is for the majority of its height. The free ends of the channel section member 7 are thus substantially cylindrical.

The cylindrical edges of the fastener may make it easier to fit the clip 1 onto scaffold poles and may also minimise or prevent any ripping or similar degradation which it causes to a sheet over which it is fitted.

The fastener 3 also comprises ribs 11 extending along its inner face. The ribs 11 may improve the grip of the clip 1 on the sheet and so in turn on the scaffolding pole and thus improve the securement of the sheet to the scaffold.

The grip 5 comprises a planar member extending from the base of the channel section 7 of the fastener 3 extending in either direction substantially transversely thereto.

The clip 1 fits over a sheet 101 and over a scaffolding pole 103 to secure the sheet to the scaffolding pole 103, as shown in Figure 3. The first and second co-operating surfaces 102,104 locate on opposing sides of the scaffolding pole 103 in order to retain the sheet 101 to the scaffolding pole 103. The co-operating surfaces 102, 104 are urged towards each other, in use. The cooperating surfaces may be joined to form a single surface or, alternatively, the co-operating surfaces may be physically separate.

As the clip is fitted over a scaffold pole its free ends 9 first press against a sheet 101 and cause a section of the sheet between the free ends of the fastener to be pressed against the outer face 105 of a scaffold pole.

As the clip is pushed further over the scaffold pole the sheet is drawn into the channel section of the fastener.

At the same time the free ends 9 of the fastener begin to press the sections of sheet which they abut against the scaffold pole.

As the clip is pushed still further over the scaffold pole the free ends of the fastener are pushed away from one another and still more of the sheet enters into the channel section of the fastener.

As the clip approaches its final position the free ends of the fastener move to an over centre position relative to

the scaffold pole. This allows the free ends of the fastener to move back towards one another and clamp the clip and thus the sheet to the scaffold pole.

The grip 5 may provide a convenient surface to press against to push the clip onto a scaffold pole and to pull on in order to remove it.

Figure 4 shows a scaffold having sheets secured to it by clips according to the present invention as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.

The clip as shown in Figures 1 and 2 may provide secure attachment of a sheet to scaffold while at the same time providing for quick and easy attachment and avoiding or minimising damage to the sheet.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be

replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A retaining member for retaining a sheet to a pole the retaining member comprising a co-operating surface, the retaining member being arranged, in use, to locate on opposing sides of the pole in order to retain the sheet between the co-operating surface and the pole.
2. A retaining member according to claim 1 in which the retaining member comprises a first and a second cooperating surface.
3. A retaining member according to claim 2 in which the first and second co-operating surfaces are arranged, in use, to locate on opposing sides of the pole in order to retain the sheet between the co-operating surfaces and the pole.
4. A retaining member according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the first and second co-operating surfaces are joined to form a single surface.
5. A retaining member according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the co-operating surfaces are physically separate.
6. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which, in use, the co-operating surfaces are urged towards each other.
7. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the retaining member comprises a channel section.

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8. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the retaining member is arranged such that, in use, the retaining member secures the sheet to the pole by clamping the sheet between the retaining member and the pole.
9. A retaining member according to claim 7 or claim 8 when dependent upon claim 7 in which the retaining member is arranged such that, in use, the free ends of the channel section are forced away from one another during an intermediate stage of fitting over the pole.
10. A retaining member according to claim 9 in which the retaining member is arranged such that, in use, as it approaches its final fitted position the free ends of the channel section return towards one another so that once the retaining member is in a final fitted position the channel section has substantially its original configuration.
11. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the pole is a scaffolding pole.
12. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the sheet is a plastics sheet.
13. A retaininq member accordinq to anv preceding claim in

(M which the sheet comprises a visqueenksheet.
14. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the retaining member comprises a resilient material.

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15. A retaining member according to claim 14 when dependent upon claim 10 in which the channel section returns to its original configuration after being deformed due to the resilient nature of the material of which it is comprised.
16. A retaining member according to claim 7 and any of claims 8 to 15 when dependent upon claim 7 in which the channel section has an inner face arranged to define the arc of a sector of a cylinder.
17. A retaining member according to claim 16 in which the sector of the cylinder has an angle of greater than 1800.
18. A retaining member according to claim 7 and any of claims 8 to 17 when dependent upon claim 7 in which the free ends of the wall of the channel section may be rounded.
19. A retaining member according to claim 7 and any of claims 8 to 18 when dependent upon claim 7 in which the channel section comprises one or more ribs extending along the inner face of the channel section substantially transverse to the arc of the channel section.
20. A retaining member according to claim 19 in which the ribs are arranged, in use, to compress the parts of the sheet against which they abut between the ribs and the pole to which the retaining member is fitted.
21. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which the retaining member comprises a grip.

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22. A retaining member according to any preceding claim in which a scaffolding structure comprising scaffolding poles having at least one sheet secured thereto by retaining members in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 21.
23. A scaffolding structure according to claim 22 in which when two or more sheets are used some or all of the sheets overlap one another for part of their extent.
24. A scaffolding structure according to claim 22 or claim 23 in which when the sheet or sheets are fitted such that it or they keep the workmen dry and/or protect the public and surrounding area from dust and/or debris.
25. A method of securing a sheet to a pole comprising placing a part of a sheet adjacent to a pole and locating a retaining member adjacent to the sheet and over the pole in order to retain the sheet between the retaining member and the pole.
26. A method according to claim 25 comprising moving apart free ends of a channel section of the retaining member in order to locate over the pole.
27. A method according to claim 25 or claim 26 comprising moving the retaining member substantially normally towards the pole whilst the free ends of the channel section are urged apart.
28. A method according to claim 26 or claim 27 in which the free ends of the fastener channel section return towards one another as the retaining member is pushed towards its final position on the pole.

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29. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 28 in which the retaining member is removed from the pole by applying a pulling force to the retaining member.
30. A retaining member substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.
31. A scaffolding structure substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.
32. A method of securing a sheet to a pole substantially as herein descried, with reference to and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.